91st General Assembly
Relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the House Public Safety Committee, Rep. Joshua Meggers (R)
Topics:Public safety & emergenciesTransportation
Same legislation: HF 98
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 19, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Drivers must now follow the same safety rules when approaching slow-moving emergency vehicles that travel at 15 miles per hour or less. If you see one with flashing lights, you should change lanes to move away from it or slow down if a lane change is not safe. These rules help protect emergency workers who are driving slowly on the road.1
Read the official explanation
323A requires the operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing lights to approach the vehicle with due caution and make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions, or if a lane change would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed must be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop. This bill applies these requirements when approaching slow-moving (15 miles per hour or less) authorized emergency vehicles. The bill does not amend similar cautionary approach requirements relating to stationary towing or recovery vehicles, utility maintenance vehicles, municipal maintenance vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, construction vehicles, and solid waste or recycling collection service vehicles.323A is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $135.323A which resulted in an accident causing bodily injury to or the death of another person may be subject to additional penalties including a fine of $500 for a violation causing bodily injury to another person and a fine of $1,000 for a violation causing death.323A for 90 days if the violation caused damage to the property of another person; 180 days if the violation caused bodily injury to another person; and one year if the violation caused death.
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§321.323A
Courts interpreting this law
- Criminal appeal No. 25-2012
- Criminal appeal No. 25-1469
- Beecher Store, Inc., v. Iowa Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverages Division
- Criminal appeal No. 24-0353
- Sandra K. Mormann, Individually and as Administrator of The Estate of Augustin G. Mormann, and Daniel J. Mormann, Indivi…
- Criminal appeal No. 23-1075
Opinions of Iowa’s appeals courts that cite this part of the Iowa Code.4
Lobbying
1 for · 0 against · 5 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly